Vitara SZ4 blog

Timwithtelly

1.6 SZ4s are going for about £10.5k-£11k for an 18 month old one.
Not sure on higher range models.

The Vitara does seem to be comfortably out-performing used value predictions though.

Timwithtelly

Went for a decent 200 mile drive on dual carriageways yesterday.
SZ4 lacks pulling power below 3000rpm but spins up pretty well above that - keep forgetting I've just come from a turbo diesel.

The onboard software reckons I averaged 47.0mpg on that trip yesterday, which is decent considering I wellied it acceleration-wise wherever I could.

Biggest surprise was how small, in reality, the boot is.

Chucked a few spare kitchen bits from an Ikea kitchen build I did into the boot and had to use one of the rear seat wells to house a drawer.

Boot to front of cabin was also too short to take a cabinet-mounting rail, so that's still sat in the house.

Again, though, got used to the space of an MPV previously - seats out and whole sofas fitted in that.

Loving the car but need to have a convo with next door about their lad chucking stones into my driveway - their drive is essentially chippings but they way he's going at it, they'll be in mine and the other neighbours' pretty soon. Best not be hitting my car or bills for dings will be instantaneous.

Timwithtelly

Well, Tim, aren't you a silly boy.
I was pressing the band cycling button to drop a band but didn't realise I had to then turn a knob to tune into all the stations in that band.

So, user error.

I now have more DAB stations than I could ever need.

Clem_Dye

Hmmm -- that's a thought. I suppose that it does constitute a modification from the standard set-up. Luckily the service comes before the insurance renewal so we can disclose the changes, assuming the upgrade takes place. Personally, I can't see what the issue might be -- the onboard lights are weedy and this update actually improves vehicle visibility, but sadly, insurance companies are a bit anal about this sort of thing.


Clem

Clem_Dye

Although we are still to have the front lights replaced in our Vitara next week when it's serviced (see above) we checked with our insurers today, and as expected, it's a non-issue. Although our dealer will replace filament bulbs for LED versions it's not classed as a vehicle modification, so we're all square.

Clem

Clem_Dye

Well, our Vitara went in for its first service today, which included swapping the filament side and indicator bulbs for led versions. Although I haven't seen the side lights in action, the white indicator bulbs seem pretty good, as bright as the old filament versions with a whiter orange colour, if that makes sense. All-in, the garage charged us just over fifty quid, parts and labour, which seems OK. Thus far, a sensible upgrade, I think. From what I can work out, quite a few customers at my Suzuki dealership are having the front bulbs updated in their Vitaras. We could have had the rear bulbs updated too, but that didn't seem worthwhile. Anyway, time will tell, but we're happy that we did the update. Just why Suzuki won't supply cars with a full set of front led bulbs doesn't make sense to me, given the overall benefits and low cost, but there you go.

Clem

Timwithtelly

Annual update.

Have done the princely distance of 5000 miles this past year, taking total mileage to just over 25000 as the car comes close to being three years old.

Third service earlier this month, with £30 or so knocked off for being booked in wrongly and having to return - still came to £249 for some checks, adjustments, oil, oil filter and some other filters though. Oh, and the 100-odd point checklist, or whatever it is. Everything ticked green.

In that 25000 miles - one set of tyres, three oil changes, and a pollen filter, I think, as consumables.

Boot liner did a great job catching dog puke on a recent trip - foldupable removable so just a quick hose off and dry off before reinserting.

No one in the rear seats at all this past 12 months - cabin looks AAA and the optional floor mats are fantastic.

Micro-ding in the bonnet. Could have been anything and only visible viewing sideways from outside the cabin in good light, but going to see about having it pulled out as I know it's there.
Probably 1mm deep but it annoys me, even if no one else can see it after I point it out.

Fuel consumption has averaged 49.4mpg over the last 5000 miles by mileometer against fuel pump reading. Onboard reading claims it's 53.2mpg - a 7.7 per cent difference.

Either way, that's a good outcome for semi-urban driving.

Was deliberating selling it as it hit three years but I am going to keep it as it does everything I need except take an old sofa to the tip.

Washed regularly by two bucket method. Waxed twice since detailing.